Let´s Learn About Thanatology

The duels and their different stages

Let’s start the learning process by defining what Thanatology is:

Thanatology is the scientific knowledge of death, its rites, and meaning conceived as a professional discipline, which integrates the person as a biological, social, and spiritual being to live fully, is how Thanatology is defined. A more concrete definition is to consider it as “the study of life that includes death.” From Greek origin Thanatos (death) and logos (study or treated), the goal of Thanatology is to provide professional help to patients with terminal disease and their families.

Thanatology was accepted as a science from the 1950s. From its conception until now, Thanatology has been treated in an interdisciplinary manner. It includes evaluating our relationship with death rather than speculations or beliefs (religious, cultural, or other). The ultimate goal of the thanatologist is to guide the patient towards acceptance of his reality, which translates into hope about the real situation. This includes a better quality of life, a dignified and peaceful death.

What does a dignified death imply?

• Quality of life during this final stage.
• Adequate care.